Aim: To investigate the effects of educational attainment on glucose control and morbid events in patients with type 2 diabetes in Beijing communities. Methods: In this prospective multi-center study, 2866 type 2 diabetes patients receiving integrated care from 15 Beijing urban communities were investigated. Educational attainment was categorized into three levels: low, medium, and high. After a 42-month management, glucose control parameters and morbid events were analyzed. Results: At baseline, the percentages of patients with good glucose control (HbA1c <= 7.0%) in the low, medium and high educational groups were 49.09%, 54.82% and 62.59%, respectively (P < 0.001). After the 42-month management, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c values were the highest in the low educational group (7.51 +/- 2.05 mmol/l and 7.20 +/- 1.27%, respectively). Percentages of patients with good glucose control in the three groups were 49.6%, 55.83% and 67.23%, respectively, and the incidences of combined morbid events were 4.5%, 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that educational level was related to the incidence of combined morbid events (medium level, HR = 0.572; high level, HR = 0.351; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Educational level was associated with long-term glucose control, and seemed to be related to the incidence of combined morbid events in people with type 2 diabetes. (C) 2015 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.